Priestman out in wake of Olympic drone-spying scandal, Herdman yet to give evidence

By Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press on November 12, 2024.

Canada coach Bev Priestman looks on during a training session at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, July 30, 2023. Priestman is out as coach of the Canadian women's soccer team in the wake of an independent report into the Olympic drone-spying scandal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour

Bev Priestman is out as coach of the Canadian women’s soccer team in the wake of an independent report into the Olympic drone-spying scandal.

Canada Soccer says assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi, who like Priestman are serving a one-year FIFA ban over the illegal use of a drone to film New Zealand at training, also will not be returning to the organization.

Lombardi has already resigned. Canada Soccer says it is currently determining the exact nature of Priestman’s and Mander’s departure.

Canada Soccer has also opened a case against former coach John Herdman under its disciplinary code, saying the review unearthed “potential violations” of the organization’s code of conduct and ethics by the former head coach of the men’s national team.

Herdman did not speak to Sonia Regenbogen, who authored the independent report. Canada Soccer said the two were unable to meet due to scheduling issues.

Canada Soccer only released a redacted version of Regenbogen’s summary of the report. But chief executive officer Kevin Blue says the drone incident in Paris “was a symptom of a past pattern of an unacceptable culture and insufficient oversight within the national teams.”

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.